Helios Team at ONR Naval Energy Forum
October 15th, 2009
SMI's Damian Kunko and Paul Gay represented Helios Strategies at the Naval Energy Forum in McLean, Va., on Oct. 14-15.
With multiple opportunities to exchange information and dialogue, the main event featured senior keynote presenters and interactive panel discussions around the key themes. Breakout rooms showcased energy-related Navy programs, hybrid and alternative fuel technologies and opportunities for one-on-one collaborations.
During the forum, Damian and Paul were able to meet with industry experts and military representatives. The two-day event included discussions with the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, who outlined a list of energy goals he expects to see met by both the Navy and Marine Corps.
The five energy initiatives include altering the awarding of Navy and Marine corps contracts to consider the lifetime energy cost of the system. By 2012, Mabus wants to create a "Green Strike Group" composed of nuclear vessels and ships powered by biofuels and developing that fleet by 2016.
The Navy aims to cut the 100,000 barrels a day in fossil fuel that the Navy consumes in half by 2015, as the Department reduces petroleum use in its 50,000 commercial vehicle fleet by phasing in hybrid fuel and electric vehicles.
Mabus also challenged the Department to produce at least half the shore-based energy requirements from renewable sources, such as solar, wind and ocean renewable energy, and to ensure at least 50 percent of the Navy's total energy consumption comes from alternative sources by 2020.
"The Navy's leadership on reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy, as well as their commitment to setting aggressive goals related to their renewable energy portfolio, should show the rest of the country that if they can do it, we can as well," Kunko said of Navy's goals.
The forum, with an audience exceeding 750, was hosted by the Office of Naval Research and the Navy's Task Force Energy, which served to introduce the Department's new energy strategy and objectives. Among the recurring themes emphasized with regard to the new energy initiatives were security, efficiency and environment stewardship.
On Oct. 22, the Navy reported a record 1.36 million barrels of oil in fuel avoidance during fiscal 2009.
To view presentations from the forum, visit the ONR Website.